Tag: End Times

Encouragement for Some

On By TimIn Church, Daily Walk, Eternal Security, Last Days, Love, Prophecy, Revelation 03, Seven Letters to Seven ChurchesLeave a comment

“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:14–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Please do reread this portion of Scripture when finished reading the entire post.

This is for each of us. Any of us may be of those who are in a church, that for all intents and purposes, appears as the Laodicean one. Our first reaction may be to flee. For some, that may be the best way to handle the situation. But is that what Jesus instructs?

Please pay attention to the admonitions that Jesus gives. The first is to the church itself. He urges the church to repent.

Immediately after, He speaks directly to the individuals in the church. It becomes personal. He encourages us to open the door to Him as His voice is heard. Though Jesus may indeed be standing outside the door of this church and those like it, His entreaty is to anyone who hears. That’s you and I!

For those that hear and respond… The promise to that person is a sweet fellowship with Him. This would be even in the midst of trying circumstances were a believer ‘churches.’

Jesus doesn’t tell us to flee such a situation. Perhaps we are called to stick it out. To be that one person who helps others to hear Jesus’ voice. If enough do, it would change things dramatically.

Listen, the local body of believers may have problems… But the promises are to the individuals in those bodies. It’s you He came to save. It’s you He wants to serve. The promises are to him who overcomes.

Hear what Jesus says to the churches. Listen for His voice and let Him in. Be one who overcomes!

Stumbling Stones: Not Speaking Truthfully

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Last Days, Matthew 18Leave a comment

But whoever misleads one of these little ones who believe in Me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung about his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of temptations! For it must be that temptations come, but woe to that man by whom the temptation comes!

Matthew 18:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It goes without saying, Jesus is being firm. He is conveying the seriousness with which we as believers must comport ourselves.

It seems to be for our own good, yet Jesus explains the greater concept. It’s for the good of the “little ones,” that is our younger siblings in Christ.

We ought to act circumspectly, minding closely how we affect others not only by our actions but what we say about our faith. Not just ‘others’ outside the circle of faith, but to the younger in the faith.

In recent days, there is a bit of controversy over remarks made by a popular contemporary vocal artist who has made public appearances. It’s a great thing, though the name of Jesus is being proclaimed in novel ways. (Novel to today’s culture.) The publicity eventually strayed into one issue of contention. Whether fairly or not, she was blind-sided by a direct question.

As mature believers, the citation of Jesus above may clearly show how what Jesus is saying applies to this controversy. For those who need a bit of help, let me say the struggle is real. There are some Christians who struggle with sexual sin. For those who struggle with exactly the essence of this controversy, the wishy-washiness of the response may be taken as permission or endorsement. This can lead to dire consequences.

When we are asked matter-of-fact questions by those who hold sway over the culture, we ought not to be caught unawares. Let us all have proper answers from studying and understanding issues. Let us ask our Lord for appropriate answers that are truthful. Because if you speak the truth, it is the only way to love the culture.

Christianity is offensive. It begins with the truth that none of us measure up to the standard God gives. In fact, the moment we can understand that, we realize we’ve already fatally failed. God stepped in. He sent His Son to stand in that gap, reconciling the world to Himself. Those that trust in Him has been redeemed of the mortal debt owed. Our job transitions to an ambassador of reconciliation.

Just as Jesus died for you, He also died for those whose struggle is not like yours. Let’s love them by being truthful. Soft-pedaling sin is really an endorsement of it.

The cultural divide will only continue to grow exponentially. We have the Book that tells us this. We can try to go along to get along, what does that win us?

Let us urge others to be reconciled to God, and let Him clean them up. I know He is still trying to clean me up. I have His promises to see that through.

Atheism is a Temporary Condition

On By TimIn Apologetics, Revelation 06Leave a comment

When Jesus returns to this Earth, atheism will be proven to be a temporary condition.

Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the commanding officers and the strong and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. They said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of His wrath has come. Who is able to withstand it?”

Revelation 6:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

However, given the hardness of the heart… That temporary condition has eternal consequences. When even knowing that return of Jesus before He is even seen they run and hide. Great plagues follow. There is a holocaust brought upon the earth by men. And what happens to all of those “believers” that hid underground and survived these?

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not cease to worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which cannot see nor hear nor walk. Nor did they repent of their murders or their magical arts or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Revelation 9:20–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

A Word to the Wise: How to Known When to Present Yourself at the Opening of the Womb.

On By TimIn Hosea 13, SalvationLeave a comment

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up. The pains of childbirth come for him. He is an unwise son, for he does not present himself at the opening of the womb.

Hosea 13:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God is patient and kind. These ideas we have are rooted in Who He is. Even in the writings of the Old Testament prophets, time and again we encounter this long-suffering compassion from the Ancient of Days. It is compassion that is demonstrated from the beginning of creation to this day.

Let us further explore this analogy akin to “You must be born again.” We all know, before a birth comes a warning. That warning comes in the form of labor pains.

We know before Israel was taken captive, there was a long siege against the nation. City after city fell to the invaders. Prophets were sent to speak forth of the coming judgment, urging the nation to repent.

What started as the discomfort was now impending judgment.

God is longsuffering.

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

His goodness and tolerance are leading each of us to repentance. The simple truth is disobedience has a just recompense.

For if the word spoken by angels was true, and every sin and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation, which was first declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?

Hebrews 2:2–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God’s patient leading to repentance is like birth pangs. At first, there is a bit of discomfort, which over time becomes more insistent. It is designed to bring us to the throne of God where confession brings remission.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God patiently awaited those in His chosen nation to repent… Judgment was surely upon them. What started as raids in a few cities was now urgent. The impending doom was quickly becoming a reality—many would die and others led away to enslavement. What started as a bit of discomfort quickly escalated.

There is another application.

For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. For all these things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, epidemics, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Matthew 24:5–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are the beginning of birth pangs. This is Jesus giving a briefing to His disciples with the signs that are the warnings of the end. Some of these have been around, others seem to be looming in the very near future. Days of which many think we are living in now.

Earthquakes are increasing in number. Famine and disease do not go away. Saber rattling is more popular than ever. Natural disasters occur with more frequency and severity.

With what is going on in the world we can match it to some of the things in the Bible. Scripture says these days may be the very beginning of birth pangs. Perhaps maybe we’re not even there yet.

That mild discomfort is going to steadily grow. Most importantly, to lead each of us to repentance and freedom from the condemnation of sure judgment coming.

Look… If you’re reading this it’s not by mistake. God may be leading you to repentance.

For the unbeliever, the stark reality is a confrontation with death. Our past deviations from goodness cannot be undone. The condemnation that comes from each of those deviations is death. We’re guilty many times over.

The believer knows the same fear of judgment. It may not be death unto perdition, nevertheless, it is what sin brings… Death.

You can have life. That is what birth brings… Life. If you’ve not ever belied God and confessed your sins… Do it now. If you’re a Christian and God is showing you your sin, confess it now.

And LIVE!

The End of it Shall Come with a Flood.

On By TimIn Daniel 09, Olivet Discourse2 Comments

After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall come with a flood. And until the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I had highlighted this during the week to pursue later. What caught my attention is the phrase “The end of it shall come with a flood.” It in this case would be the city Jerusalem, or better the temple sanctuary in it.

Yet somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember hearing an account of a certain ancient civilization wanting to extract the last vestiges of gold from a sacked place, they flooded it with water. As the water washed through the ruins it then gushed over a grassy plain before eventually finding an outlet to a body of water. The treasure was lifted from the ruins by the water and caught in the grass of the plains. It was then retrieved. I think somewhere in my mind I always want to connect this idea with the temple but can find no sources for even the account. There is plenty of speculation on how the alleged melted gold was retrieved, but that is for another time.

Setting out this morning to try and understand, I have at least settled in my mind what is being said.

“The end of it shall come with a flood.”

In the passage, the word flood is translated from the Hebrew sheṭeph (שֶׁטֶף.) I think I want to read an English primary understanding into the translated word, meaning a flood with water. However, it seems as if the idea conveyed is just overwhelming devastation. A little later in Daniel, that same word is used as connected with armies to convey an overwhelming military army that is swept away.

A flood of armies shall be swept away before him and be broken, and the prince of the covenant as well.

Daniel 11:22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I think that helps to understand the context being offered. Still not satisfied, I checked out how the Septuagint translated the idea. The English transliteration is something like this:

Will come its end with destructive anger.

I think that better suits the idea as a judgment sent from God and overwhelming on many fronts; militarily, vast and emotional. Given some of the scant historical gleanings, the Israelis were so protective of that sanctuary. That was their identity, as the only ones who could approach and serve God.

Yet clearly in the prophecy, the Anointed One is cut off. We know Jesus was crucified. His death wasn’t for Himself (and shall have nothing.)

It is the troops of the prince who shall come who set to destroy the sanctuary. The command to do so wasn’t from Rome, a local legion set the fire. I can imagine the overwhelming confusion of the moment.

“And until the end of the war desolations are determined.”

Let’s not confuse the term desolations with what is commonly called the abomination of desolation. The former is specifically speaking of the desolations that are decreed to Jerusalem (and its people.) It is this very thing Jesus spoke of in the Olivet discourse. He was speaking of the second diaspora, the scattering of Israelis, and the desolations to come upon the city and its people.

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know that its desolation has drawn near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are in the city depart, and let not those who are in the country enter it. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led away captive to all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Luke 21:20–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There would be a specific season for this diaspora and will end when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Even in recent history, we continue to see the desolations that happen to the Jewish people; expulsion from Spain, the pogroms in Russia, and the Holocaust. These readily come to mind as modern desolations. Even now we see continued desolations spoken of in our media. The zeitgeist would shame Israel for settlements, for defending herself. The same would also divide Jerusalem for the sake of peace. Even then, the end of war won’t come until Messiah arrives.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Matthew 24:30–31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The flood destroyed the city and sanctuary, and with all floods, the aftermath seems hopeless. These are the desolations that are decreed until the end of the war.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”

Psalms 122:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is not meant to be an extensive explanation of prophecies, but of clearly understanding that phrase in the light of Scriptures.